Jacob Bethell ruled out of white-ball series against Australia

England's emerging batting talent, Jacob Bethell, has been ruled out of the upcoming white-ball series against Australia after suffering a setback in his rehabilitation from knee surgery. Sussex all-rounder James Coles has been named as his replacement in the squad. Bethell had also been included in England's squad for the three-match Test series against South Africa, announced on November 9.

However, he is now in a race against time to recover before the opening Test at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on December 17. He was absent from England's warm-up fixture against Western Australia on Saturday.

Notably, Bethell has not played any form of cricket since England's 2-1 ODI series victory over India at home in July. He was initially expected to be fit for the three-match home Test series against Pakistan, but was later diagnosed with a chondral defect (cartilage damage) in his right knee, which required surgery.

An England spokesperson has revealed that the southpaw suffered a setback while training in Perth and that effectively ended his participation in the white-ball series in Australia.

"Jacob Bethell has been ruled out of the white-ball tour of Australia following a scan on his right knee," an England spokesperson was quoted as saying by Cricinfo.

"Bethell suffered a setback in his return from the injury during a training session in Perth earlier this week. With a busy winter ahead, it was decided that he will return to the UK on Saturday before seeing a specialist."

England veteran batter Joe Root, set to play his 200th ODI on Friday at Optus Stadium in Perth, expressed disappointment over Bethell's setback.

"It's disappointing for him," Joe Root, who will play his 200th ODI on Friday, told the BBC. "I know how hard he works, and I know everything he's done to get himself right, and hopefully it's not too serious, and he's not out for too long."